As a woman, have you ever found yourself unable to handle stress?

Housework, children's work, office work, maybe taking care of your parents... In the midst of all this, do you sometimes feel a great burden and pressure on your heart? Do you feel like everything is falling on top of you, "I can't do all this"? It's actually very normal to feel that way. Because many women today live with this kind of pressure. Today we are talking about this mental pressure that everyone talks about, but doesn't really understand, that is, stress.

What is this stress?

Simply put, stress is a part of our lives. It's something everyone experiences. Sometimes this stress is good. Think about it, if you have an exam, you study because you feel a little pressure about it. When you have a presentation at the office, you feel a little pressure, so you try to do your best. In that way, stress helps us overcome challenges.

But the problem starts when this pressure becomes unbearable and lasts for a long time. Especially as women, we are always thinking about the needs of others. We prioritize things like feeding the children, helping our husbands with their chores, and taking care of the household. Because of this, there are times when we don't even realize how much pressure we are under.

When this stress is persistent, that is, when it becomes chronic , it starts to feel like a normal part of our lives. We think, "This is how my life has always been." But over time, this can seriously affect your body and mind.

Do women feel pressure differently than men?

Now you might be thinking, "Is this just me? Doesn't this happen to men?" Actually, while everyone feels stress, there are some differences in how women and men deal with it and feel it. Recent research has found things like:

• On average, women have been reported to be more stressed than men .
• Women are more likely than men to think, "I wish I had a little more psychological support from someone."
• Women worry more than men about money issues, that is, economic issues.
• Women are more likely than men to cite family responsibilities and family relationships as the main sources of stress in their lives.

When it comes to the reasons for this, scientists believe that biological factors, such as hormones, play a role. Social influences, such as the support we receive and the isolation we experience, can also play a role.

Do you have these symptoms too? Symptoms of stress

Stress is something that affects everyone differently. Some people may experience headaches, while others may feel angry. See if you have any of these symptoms. Let's break them down into a few categories.

Why do women feel so much stress?

There are several common reasons why women experience depression.

• Economic issues (Finances)
• Health problems
• Relationship issues
• Problems at work or school

In addition to these things, many women say that they feel a lot of pressure due to caregiving and family responsibilities. Think about it, you have to take care of your children, you have to do their schoolwork, maybe you have to take care of your elderly parents, you have to cook at home, you have to clean... Do you think about yourself in the midst of all this? Often, we forget about ourselves and run around fulfilling the needs of others.

We all want to do everything perfectly. We try to be a 'good mother', a 'good wife', a 'good daughter', a 'good employee'. This is why when someone asks for help, it's hard to say "no" even if we don't have the time or energy. This is why we take on more responsibilities than we can handle. This is also a big reason for increased stress.

What will happen to health if this pressure continues?

A few days of stress may not cause much harm. But as we discussed earlier, when this continues, that is, for months or years (chronic stress), it can cause serious health problems.

• Frequent, severe headaches: Especially conditions like tension headaches and migraines .
• Heart disease: The risk of high blood pressure , heart disease , and heart attack increases.
• Intestinal complications: Conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) , which causes symptoms such as stomach pain and bloating.
• Mental illnesses: Conditions such as panic disorder , generalized anxiety disorder, and major depression may occur.
• Muscle pain: Body aches, persistent muscle stiffness.
• Obesity: Stress can lead some people to overeat, which can lead to unnecessary weight gain.
• Risk of stroke .
• Weakened immune system: This can lead to frequent illnesses and slow recovery.

But don't worry. There are ways to avoid these things. If you talk to your doctor and learn how to manage your stress properly, you can prevent these serious conditions from occurring.

So how do you manage this stress?

The best solution to this is to prioritize yourself (self-care). It's not selfish. It's essential. Only if you are well can you take good care of your family and others. Here are some simple things you can try.

Things you can do for yourself

• Change your mindset: Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the thought of "I have to do this," try thinking positively, "I have the opportunity to do this." Even a small thing can make a difference.
• Eat a good nutritious diet: Include more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and fish in your diet. Reduce artificial, sweetened foods as much as possible.
• Spend some time with nature: Take a walk in the yard for at least 10-15 minutes a day. Look at a tree or a leaf. Take a break from your phone and TV for a while.
• Exercise: Do something like walking or running until you break a sweat for at least 30 minutes a day. Exercise is the best medicine for the body as well as the mind.
• Get good sleep: Try to get at least 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep a day. Stop looking at your phone or watching TV before bed.
• Do things that calm the mind: Things like yoga, meditation , and slow, deep breathing exercises can provide great relief to the mind.
• Make time to do something you enjoy: Set aside a little time each day to do something you enjoy, such as reading a book, listening to a song, drawing a picture, or planting a flower in the garden.
• Talk to someone you trust: Talking about your feelings with someone like your husband, best friend, mother, or sister can help ease the burden on your mind.
• Keep a diary: Writing down your feelings and thoughts throughout the day in a book can help you free your mind.

More tips for your mental well-being

• Find out what's stressing you out: Write down everything you feel and do throughout the day. Over time, you'll learn what things are stressing you out the most. You can then make a plan to avoid or cope with those things.
• Practice saying 'no': Don't say 'yes' to everything. If there's something you can't do, decline it lovingly and politely. Know your limits.
• Count to 10 when you're angry: If you're angry because of a problem with someone, before you react immediately, step back and count to 10 in your mind. Take a deep breath. That little bit of time can make a big difference.
• Treat yourself as you would others:

Remember, even on an airplane, they say to put on your oxygen mask first in case of an accident, then help others. Similarly, you can only take care of others if you are well. Be kind to yourself.